Cardiac Patients May Have Sexual Problems, but Relationships Usually Strong

Patients with cardiac disease often have sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and low desire, and orgasm difficulties. However, new research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that such problems do not necessarily harm patients’ relationships with their partners.

The connections between sexual dysfunction and relationship satisfaction in patients with heart conditions has not been widely researched. With this study, the scientists aimed to discover just how patients’ sexual experiences change after a cardiac event and how such changes might affect relationships.

Between June 2010 and August 2011, 201 people with heart disease participated in a telephone survey. All the participants had undergone cardiac rehabilitation at one of six hospitals in Ireland. At the time of the survey, the patients had one main sexual partner.

Most of the respondents – almost 88% – were men. Overall, the average age of both men and women was 61 years. Almost two-thirds had high cholesterol. Over half had had a heart attack or had high blood pressure. About 23% had used medication to improve their sexual function after their cardiac event.

Sixty-three percent said they were having sex at least once a month during the previous year. About a third had sex less frequently. However, sexual activity dropped over time. Within the previous four weeks, approximately two thirds had sex at least once, but a third did not have sex at all.

About a third of the men had problems with erections, the most common sexual problem for this group. About one in five women said they had trouble reaching orgasm. Both men and women reported lower sexual interest.

When asked if sex had changed for the worse since the cardiac event, about 30% of the participants said yes; and, about half of this group thought it was serious. When asked to elaborate, patients described sexual side effects of medication, fear, anxiety, and loss of energy.

In contrast, about 11% said sex had gotten better. In some cases, patients had started taking medication to treat sexual problems. Others said they felt more relaxed and energetic now and had been taking steps to become more fit.

Most of the patients felt positively about their relationships, with over 70% reporting pleasurable sex and affection. But only 58% were happy with the communication in their partnership, an area that couples could work on with guidance, the authors said.

“Cardiac rehabilitation programs should address sexual problems and support people in returning to sexual activity. These programs should include strategies to promote good communication within couples about sex,” they wrote.